Encouragement and support for those giving up smoking.

[Northerner]

Well there's me, Twinkie and Dadslib. Anyone else trying to kill the evil nicotine monstor?

I'm posting on dh's behalf. He says he wants to stop, has tried on numerous occasions in the many years I've known him, tried umpteen different ways of stopping (Allen Carr method, hynotherapy, patches, Zyban, chewing gum, willpower) but without success He did manage to stop for a year once (Allen Carr Method) but started again and now smokes just as much as ever. I want to help and, he says, he wants to stop so if anyone can give advice I'd be mooooost grateful. Ta.

That's a tough one Tabitha. Sounds like he's tried every trick in the book. How many does he smoke?

Me!
Quite successfully at the moment due to morning sickness. Haven't even wanted one for nearly week now.

Welcome M2T!

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Northerner, he smokes about 15 a day, although it varies and he's smoked since he was about 12 or 13. He is generally v healthy though (at the moment) is hardly ever ill, exercises regularly etc. He has mentioned trying accupuncture. Has anyone got any experience of this for stopping smoking?
Only good thing is that, when I asked my 16 yo dd whether she had ever tried smoking told me (and I believe her) that she would never smoke as she had seen the problems her dad had with giving up.

I am not using any NRT at all. I have read the Alan Carr book, and like Twinkie I allowed myself my last cigerette and have not had another since. This time seems easier for some reason. The book is very good.

I agree with Twinkie, when I gave up (3 years ago!) I decided that I was a non-smoker and used to say to myself 'I don't have cravings as I don't smoke'. Sounds very 'Oprah' but it worked for me.

Tabitha - I've know experience of accupuncture I'm afraid. At least he sounds like he really wants to quit and that's a start. How come the Zyban failed?

The Zyban was a strange one. It was recommended by a friend of a friend - stopped her smoking completely. Apparently, it works on the part of the brain that makes you crave cigarettes, not for dh unfortunately. He smoked just as much but went off alcohol completely. Obviously he's got a strange brain

I'm not a smoker myself but my parents and sis were all smokers at one time. I thought maybe their stories might give you hope. Mum had a few half-hearted attempts at giving up over the years but eventually went for it when my children had asthma and they didn't like her smell etc. She's never smoked since - not bad for someone with a 40+ years habit. Dad gave up on her coat-tails, really, although (and I know this is so hypocritical of me) he was a pipe smoker, which doesn't seem to offensive to the senses. He'd been smoking for 60+ yrs. I'm not sure when my sis gave up but she smoked roll ups until her 40's, - so un-sis like! I wish you all the best in trying to give up - I'm sure you can do it, in fact I know you can! Good luck.

Can I join in? I have made several half hearted attempts to stop in the past, never smoke when visiting parents (and thats often a week at a time) but always start up again. Anyway this time I swear its different. I found a lump in my mouth which I went to the dentist about. She referred me to an oral surgeon and the wait to see him was agonising (right over Christmas). Convinced myself I had cancer and smoked even more I was so stressed (I figured if I had cancer a few more fags wouldn't make any difference. Outrageous I know) Anyway, saw the consultant and got the all clear. I have NEVER been so relieved in my life and never want to feel as scared as that again by doing something I had a choice over. I mean I may get some other nasty illness through no fault of my own but why invite it?

So I am now a non smoker. I have stocked up on chewing gum and carrots, am not drinking coffee and am keeping a cleaner house! I still think about smoking on average 3 times an hour if I'm in the house, less if I'm out, still find I get the triggers for a fag, but just remind myself the desire will pass and do something else.
I know I won't smoke again. Good luck to everyone else.

Thanks for your messages, i know i didn't post the initial one but just posted another message about my DH smoking. this is really his first time seriously giving up. he tried once or twice and made it 2 days each time. he's not tried Alan Carr yet (some people swear by it) and i never heard of "Zyban" - what is that? I will ask the doctor.

There are stop smoking chemists you can ring up in your area (DH got a list in our area, from the alcohol counseling place), and there was a number with his patches, we haven't rang it it but it is a free number so what do we have to lose: 0800 917 3333 (but maybe they are just promoting patches..?). and there seem to be stop smoking support drop in centres as well. he is going to try one of those too.